PART 5 THE CHURCH OF GOD OR CHURCH OF MAN

THE CHURCH OF GOD OR CHURCH OF MAN

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IF SOMEONE IS DESIRING TO BE ORDAINED, THEN WHAT ARE THE QUALIFICATIONS THAT SHOULD BE MET?

Believe it or not, there’s another condition that should occur before someone’s considered for the leadership office of a pastor. Obviously, when you attend church, especially a new one, you might not know what protocols were followed, which ultimately led to those in leadership being ordained. One way to find this out is to ask them.

Another way is to keep in mind what’s going to be discussed in this chapter. And that is, what are the biblical qualifications that a believer’s life should evidence before they’re considered for the appointment to the office of a pastor? For our information, these qualifications are found in the book of 1 Timothy. But before we turn there, let’s take a look at a verse that warns us about not ordaining someone who’s not spiritually prepared.

 

1 Timothy 3:6

Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil.

The Apostle Paul was instructing Timothy regarding the worship and organization of the early church. In this instance, he’s letting him know that if someone desires the office of a bishop (pastor), then he shouldn’t be a novice. The word novice means a recent convert. However, it could also refer to a believer who has had little opportunity to test his own [faith or give] evidence to others that he would be faithful to the trust committed to him.¹³

By the way, I inferred that the pastor was a male. Well, the reason for this is that this is what gender (masculine) is mentioned in this chapter for the noun used. However, I’ve done a separate study on this in one of my new books called Who Says Women Can’t Lead? This book will provide context as to why this gender was used in this manner and whether Scripture indicates that women could also be called and qualified by the Holy Spirit to occupy any of the authority positions in the church.

With that said, this chapter will give us a clear description as to what scriptural credentials a believer should exhibit in their behavior along with the divine skill that’s associated with it to be eligible and considered for ordination. Let’s stay in the same chapter and take a look at what this entails.

 

Suggested Reading: 1 Timothy 3:1-7

1-2 This is a true saying, If a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work. A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach; 

One who is aspiring to the office of a bishop (pastor) since being born again must be:

• Blameless

Of whom no charge of immorality, or of holding false doctrine, is alleged.¹⁴

Immoral behavior would include incest, adultery, fornication, homosexuality, prostitution, lesbianism, polygamy, and adultery. 1 Corinthians 5:1; 1 Corinthians 6:9-11; Romans 1:26-31; 1 Timothy 3:2

• The husband of one wife

Validly divorced people who remarried were considered married to one spouse.¹⁵

The biblical approval for divorce is as follows.

If the believing Christian is married to an unbeliever, and the unbeliever chooses to leave the marriage, then the believer is allowed to divorce and remarry. 1 Corinthians 7:15

If the believing Christian is married to either a believer or unbeliever, who decides to engage in an extra marital affair, then the Christian is allowed to divorce and remarry. Matthew 19:9

If the husband or wife dies, then the believer is allowed to remarry. Romans 7:2

If the believing Christian is married to a believer and the believer chooses to leave the marriage while remaining unmarried without engaging in an extramarital affair, then the believer is to remain unmarried or be reconciled.

The marital condition for divorce that’s not allowed is when the believing spouse chooses to leave the marriage while remaining unmarried without engaging in an extramarital affair.         

• Vigilant

Exercises wise caution in moral or spiritual matters.

• Sober

[Knows] how to control one's actions and feelings.¹⁶

They follow sound reason [and, as such, have] the ability to say no to [their] own desires.¹⁷

• Of good behavior

Organized in his thinking and his living, as well as in his teaching and preaching.¹⁸

Puts emphasis on being well-ordered and free from confusion.¹⁹

• Given to hospitality

Encourages works of charity toward fellow believers and strangers.

• Apt to teach

[Understands and communicates] the truth to others, as well as to refute those who mishandle it.²⁰

Has the capacity to impart Christian knowledge, the ability to interpret Scripture, to explain its doctrines, to enforce its precepts, and to defend it against errorists of every class.²¹

Imparts instruction on the doctrines of the Christian faith.

1 Timothy 3:3 Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous;                      

• Not given to wine

Does not drink wine to excess, thus becoming drunk.

Must not drink it so freely that he becomes intoxicated and hence quarrelsome.²²

• No striker

Not someone who wounds with the [tongue], that is, who is guilty of slander (a malicious, false, and defamatory statement or report²³) or of outrageous reproaches (to blame or discredit in disapproval).²⁴

• Not greedy of filthy lucre

Not in the original manuscripts.

• Patient

Able to take criticism without reacting.     

Of anticipating and providing for all cases that will emerge and present themselves for [a] decision.²⁵

• Not a brawler

[Uses]a peaceful and inoffensive approach.²⁶

One who avoids disputes and quarrels.

• Not covetous

Not desiring the office of a pastor for the sake of its financial gain.

One who [doesn’t] apply their [mind] to dishonest and unlawful gains.²⁷

1 Timothy 3:4 One that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity;                                       

• One that ruleth well his own house

[Manages (cares for; concerned about)] his own marriage and home [indicates the] ability to oversee a local church.²⁸

The pastor cannot be one thing at home and something else in church.²⁹

• Having his children in subjection with all gravity

He should maintain proper ["dignity";] he should maintain self-respect, and his deportment should be such as to inspire others with respect for him.³⁰      

His children obey and respect him, along with being respectful of others.

1 Timothy 3:7 Moreover he must have a good report of them which are without; lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.      

• Must have a good report

Has a good reputation or testimony from the brethren and unbelievers outside the church by being upright in his business dealings, paying his bills, and evidencing good morals.       

Even unbelievers themselves shall be constrained to acknowledge him to be a good man.³¹

Well, that was interesting. What do you think? It’s pretty obvious that for anyone desiring or being considered for ordination, character is of utmost importance. Their conduct should be well spoken of, not only by their immediate family, if married, but also by those who don’t know the Lord, which could be relatives, friends, neighbors, associates at work, etc.

What this says to me is that if someone in leadership thinks that so and so should be commissioned to be in church authority, they need to become closely acquainted with the person or persons considered, i.e., with their family, friends, and those with whom they have contact outside the church such as coworkers, neighbors, etc. beforehand. This leads us to the following question.

Once a believer has been vetted by the Holy Spirit, leadership, fellow believers, and unbelievers, what is the protocol for ordination? Initially, I wasn’t going to provide this information. But after thinking about it, I decided to include it in this study. Are you ready to find out how this should be done? The next chapter will tell us so.